aphalākāńkṣibhir yajño
vidhi-diṣṭo ya ijyate
yaṣṭavyam eveti manaḥ
samādhāya sa sāttvikaḥ
Translation of Bhagavad Gita 17.11
Of sacrifices, the sacrifice performed according to the directions of scripture, as a matter of duty, by those who desire no reward, is of the nature of goodness.
Commentary by Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada of Gaudiya Sampradaya:
The general tendency is to offer sacrifice with some purpose in mind, but here it is stated that sacrifice should be performed without any such desire. It should be done as a matter of duty. Take, for example, the performance of rituals in temples or in churches. Generally they are performed with the purpose of material benefit, but that is not in the mode of goodness. One should go to a temple or church as a matter of duty, offer respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and offer flowers and eatables. Everyone thinks that there is no use in going to the temple just to worship God. But worship for economic benefit is not recommended in the scriptural injunctions. One should go simply to offer respect to the Deity. That will place one in the mode of goodness. It is the duty of every civilized man to obey the injunctions of the scriptures and offer respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Commentary by Sri Vishvanatha Chakravarthi Thakur of Gaudiya Sampradaya:
With this verse the Lord begins to speak of the three types of sacrifice. That is sattvika sacrifice which is performed according to the rules with no desire for results. What would be the impetus for sacrifice if there were no desire for results? The mind is fixed in performing the sacrifice with the idea that it should be done because the scriptures prescribe it thus (yastavyam eva iti).
Commentary by Sri Ramanuja of Sri Sampradaya:
17.11 That sacrifice is marked by Sattva which is offered by those desiring no fruits, with the ‘conviction’, i.e., with the idea that it ought to be performed or that it should be offered for its own sake as worship of the Lord as enjoined in the injunctions of the Sastras, i.e., with hymns, right materials and proper rituals.
Commentary by Sri Sridhara Swami of Rudra Sampradaya:
Lord Krishna confirms that yagna or propitiation and worship also corresponds to the three gunas or modes of material nature and is threefold. That yagna which is performed and offered to the Supreme Lord following the ordinances and injunctions of the Vedic scriptures in the prescribed manner which is compulsory by Vaisnavas and brahmanas for the exclusive satisfaction for the Supreme Lord without any desire for rewards is known to be in sattva guna the mode of goodness. How is this enacted one may ask? It is performed out of duty for its own sake or out of bhakti which is exclusive loving devotion to Lord Krishna or any of His authorised avatars or incarnations and expansions as revealed in Vedic scriptures.
Commentary by Sri Madhvacharya of Brahma Sampradaya:
There is no commentary to Chapter 17, verse 12 by Madhvacarya.
Commentary by Sri Keshava Kashmiri of Kumara Sampradaya:
Now Lord Krishna elaborates on the threefold divisions of yagna or propitiation and worship to the Supreme Lord or any of His authorised incarnations and expansions as revealed in Vedic scriptures. The yagna that is performed aphala-akanksibhih meaning with no desire for any fruitive rewards and is ordained by the ordinances and injunctions of the Vedic scriptures. Following the prescribed procedures, chanting the prescribed mantras, utilising prescribed ingredients, sanctified by duly initiated Vaisnavas and brahmanas who perform it as either a matter of duty or out of devotion to the Supreme Lord are known as situated in sattva guna or mode of goodness.
Commentary by Sri Adi Shankaracharya of Advaita Sampradaya:
17.11 That sacrifice is marked by Sattva which is offered by those desiring no fruits, with the ‘conviction’, i.e., with the idea that it ought to be performed or that it should be offered for its own sake as worship of the Lord as enjoined in the injunctions of the Sastras, i.e., with hymns, right materials and proper rituals.
Commentary by Sri Abhinavagupta of Kaula Tantra Sampradaya:
17.11-13 Aphala-etc. upto paricaksate. Stabilizing mind : by firmly believing. Also for the sake of display etc. Display : an intention ‘Let the world take me to be of this natrue’. That which is devoid of scriptural injunction : that which is devoid of rituals prescribed in the scriptures. The same
Sanskrit Shloka Without Transliteration Marks:
aphalakanksibhir yajño
vidhi-disto ya ijyate
yastavyam eveti manah
samadhaya sa sattvikah
Sanskrit to English Word for Word Meanings:
aphala-aka?k?ibhi? — by those devoid of desire for result; yajña? — sacri?ce; vidhi-di??a? — according to the direction of scripture; ya? — which; ijyate — is performed; ya??avyam — must be performed; eva — certainly; iti — thus; mana? — mind; samadhaya — ?xing; sa? — it; sattvika? — in the mode of goodness.
